"Mom, can we talk?" For the past weeks of our summer vacation, I build up courage to talk to my mom. As much as I hate seeing her, talking to her or even getting close to her, I need to address my thoughts and opinion. And I also have plans, plans that might convince her. 

"If it's about your marriage with Sam, shut up." she said as she proceed on baking some cookies. I just know she's in a slight good mood when I see her in the kitchen cooking or baking, doing things like what mom does. 

I lean on the kitchen island, "No, it's about my senior high school strand, I'd like to switch up to ABM and take Accountancy in college." I said, hoping she's considering it. What does she wants me to do in STEM anyways? Be a doctor? The only doctor I am considering to be is a psychologist, but I think before I could even graduate and become one, I might be do one needing treatments. 

"You want to be involved in Thiago's company? I'm telling you, he will give it to your brother cause Theo is his real son." she said as she continue on baking, not even sparing a glance at me. 

I shook my head, "No mom, I have no interest with the company, I just want to take accountancy cause that's what I think would fit me. I would work on office and that's where I see myself in the future. Working in offices." I explained, which the truth is I feel somehow upset that I can tell that she really only cares about Theo. Because he's tito Thiago's real child and mom thinks tito Thiago only cares about Theo. Tito Thiago is nice and he's nice to me too. 

I hear mom sigh, "Fine, do what you want to do." she said and my eyes widened. I immediately rush out of the kitchen and run upstairs. Once I get to my bedroom, I reach for my phone and call Ali. 

"Ali!!!" I squealed, 

"I'll switch to ABM!! Just like Laura! Bestie I'm gonna be an Accountant!" I added, gladly that there's small chances that I'll be heard from outside or downstairs so I can squeal whenever I want. 

[Wow... that's really great, you get to be what you want to be.] she said... her tone sound down. 

My expression change and my smile drop, "Hey... everything alright?" I worriedly ask, she sounded... odd. She sounded... upset or sad or crying! 

"Are you crying?!" I exclaimed, 

[Hindi ah... okay lang ako.] And then she sniffs which confirmed that she is crying. 

"Ali what happened? What's wrong?" I ask, my eyes widened when I hear her sob from the other line. 

[Gaga... wala lang, ano kasi... nagsasayaw ako kaninang 5PM, tapos natumba ako kaya napilay ako, masakit lang talaga. Nothing to worry naman, gagaling din 'to.] she said, audible sobs coming from her line. 

"Are you sure? Puntahan kita gusto mo? I'll bring you Ice cream and cookies." I said as I stand up from the bed. 

[No no no! I am fine, Lory. Gagaling din 'to, I am totally okay, nothing to worry. Tsaka you should be happy! Pinayagan ka ni tita na mag switch as ABM! You should be happy and celebrate, ikaw nalang ang kumain ng cookies and ice cream. Tsaka gabi na oh, 7PM na, lalabas ka pa ng bahay niyo.] she said and I bit my lower lip. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask and she hums, 

"Do the RICE method." I said as I sat back down on my bed. 

[RICE method ba? Ibaon ko sa bigas yung paa ko?] she ask and my brows furrowed, 

"What? No, Rest-Ice Compress- Elevate, Ali naman eh! Itinuro 'yan sa atin!" I whined and I hear her giggle from the other line. 

[Ay oo nga pala, sige sige, gagawin ko, kukuha na ako ng yelo. Bye! Congrats ulit!] she said in a slight  cheerful voice, 

I smiled and sigh, "Okay okay, bye! Take a rest!" I said before ending the call. 

After calling Ali, I opened my laptop and begun watching some Murder Documentary videos in the internet while eating some chips that I kept in my room. I let the time pass as I want to get something from downstairs. And as the clock strikes 9PM, I made sure mom is already at their bedroom while I go down to the kitchen and grab some cookies that she baked. I also grab a tub of ice cream and brought it upstairs. I then begun watching movies as I finish everything. 

[Congrats! You finally had the freedom to choose the strand you wanted.] Sam said from the other line while I cook some noodles for myself. It is now 2 in the afternoon and I am only having my first meal of the day. 

"Well thank you, and how about you, ilang linggo nalang and you're gonna enter college. What university are you gonna attend nga?" I ask as I stir my noodles. 

[ADMU, same goes with you. You're also gonna attend college there.] he said and I shake my head as I bitterly chuckle. 

"Fucked up isn't? I am not able to choose the university that I want." I said as I grab a bowl for my noodles while the phone is just on the countertop in loudspeaker. 

[Well... where do you really want to attend college?] Sam ask, I didn't answer immediately as I pour the noodles to the bowl. 

"Well... well I have nothing in my mind. Guess I really have no choice since I have no idea where I really want. Guess I just have to go with the flow again." I replied and I hear him chuckle from the other line. 

[Well I'll be there naman, you'll be safe there.] he said and I rolled my eyes as I place the bowl on the kitchen island. 

"I don't need you to protect me, I don't need saving cause I can protect myself.] I said and grab the phone and pull it closer to me. 

"Now if you may excuse, I'll enjoy my meal and  bye." I said as I ended the call, not waiting for his reply. I pull the plate full of dumplings closer to me and enjoy my foods. 

A week before class return, I just got home from Manila from school supply shopping, mom also got me some new clothes, shoes and other luxury. 

I am laying down on my bed, tired from the travel when I got a call from my phone. Without looking who is the caller, I answered it. 

"Hello?" I said with a tired voice. 

[Bestie! Ikaw ha! Kilala ko na si special guy mo!] As I hear Ali's voice and understand what she said, I immediately sat up on my bed. 

"What?! What are you talking about? Please don't tell me you met him..." I said, hoping she didn't know who is Inin. 

She burst out laughing from the other line, [Hmm... Inin pala bestie ha? Sinaing lang ang peg!] I facepalmed as his name came out of her mouth. 

[Ikaw ha! Half Indian pala bestie! Ang pogi rin! Nangingitim lang daw siya kasi tumutulong sa construction ng tatay niya, pero bestie! Power ha! Medyo kulang lang ng ilang paligo!] She exclaimed from the other line which made me chuckle as I caress my forehead. 

"Don't tell anyone, 'yan naman kapag nakita natin siya sa daan tawagin mo." I said and I hear her chuckle,

[Gaga ano ka ba! Sure na safe sa akin ng secret mo!] she said and I sigh, 

"Where did you met him pala? And how?" I ask as I sit up straight on my bed. 

[Well ano kasi, may ipinagawa sila mama na lamesa dito sa bahay, tapos yung tatay niya ang kinuha na trabahador, tapos kasama siya,  madaldal pala bestie! Tapos ayun, nalaman ko na yung Lory na sinasabi namin ay iisa.] she explained and I slowly nod. 

"Pupunta ba ulit sila sa inyo bukas?" I ask, 

[No bestie eh, kasi natapos agad nila yung lamesa today lang, galing nga eh! Ang bilis!] she said and I slowly nod. 

"Okay, salamat sa pag inform, matagal na rin kasi kaming hindi nagkikita." I said and I hear her gasp from the other line. 

[Ay bakit may pagkikita na nagaganap? Jowa mo na ba? How about Sam?] she ask and I snort, 

"What?! No! He's not my jowa! Just a friend, and Sam? Buhay pa naman." I replied and I hear her laugh at the other line. 

[Okay, okay, bye na nga, ibinalita ko lang talaga sayo. Bye bestie! Rest well!] she said and I just hum and wait for her to end the call. 

The moment I woke up the next day, which is around 3PM, I immediately took a shower and change into some comfortable clothes. I went downstairs and grab some snacks we can eat before I went to a bakeshop in town and bought a cake for us. 

I am around Central when I realized something, I don't know where he is right now. I mentally scolded myself before messaging him and asking him where he is right now. 

from Inin: 

Nasa Manlayak kami ngayon malapit sa SLSU, bakit? 

Napangiwi ako nang mabasa ang SLSU, malapit kila Laura, but I think Laura is not in town and most probably in Manila. I put my phone back to my bag and drove to Manlayak. I am feeling uncomfortable as people starts staring at me as I arrived at the place. I look around to spot for a hut, near a construction, there I saw one. 

"Parang kinakabahan ka?" Inin ask as I enter their hut. 

I shook my head and place down the bag full of foods. 

"Weh? Yung totoo?" he ask again, I took a deep breath before sitting down. 

"Eh kasi naman, people were staring at me, nakaka... inis kaya." I said as I pout, grabbing a bag of potato chips. 

I hear Inin chuckle, "Sus, relax ka lang, gutom lang 'yan, kumain ka na ba?" tanong nito habang nagbubukas din ng potato chips. 

"Hindi pa nga, kakagising ko lang tapos naligo at pumunta na dito." I replied, the ruffling noises coming froom his bag of chips stopped which made me look at him. 

"Malapit na mag alas kwatro di ka pa kumakain? Kumakain ka ba ng gulay?" he ask, slowly chewing on my chips, I shake my head. 

"Ay, sayang naman, nagluto pa man din ako ng chapsuey kaninang tanghalian, sige na kain kana." he softly said, staring at him for few seconds, thinking if I should accept it or not. I really don't like vegetables, not at all. But I think I am willing to try. 

I nod, "Sure, patimpla na rin ng kape." I said as I place down the bag of chips on the table and watch him stand up from his seat and prepare my food. A minute later he come back with a plate with rice and chapsuey, spoon and fork and a glass of water. 

"Maya-maya kana mag kape pagkakain mo, wala pang laman 'yang sikmura mo." he said and I slowly nod as I reach for the spoon and fork and begun eating. 

I don't like the texture of vegetables, the sayote, carrots and the beans, but the taste is really good! Wow! 

"Masarap?" he hesitantly ask as I started to eat the rice non-stop. 

I nod, "Yes! Shobra!" I said with food in my mouth. 

I hear him chuckle, "Akala ko hindi mo magugustuhan." he said and I didn't bother replying. After few more spoonful of rice with some piece of vegetables, I finished the rice and look at Inin who's watching me eat. 

"Gusto mo pa?" he ask and I shyly smile and nod. He smiled at me before picking up the plate and going to their other table where a kaldero is placed at. 

"Gusto ko pa ng sabaw..." I said as he close the lid of kaldero, he look at me and smile before nodding and pouring some chapsuey broth on the rice. 

"Mabuti naman nagustuhan mo." he said as he place the plate down in front of me. 

"I don't know why but I like it, I don't like vegetables but this one is an exemption. Maalam ka pala magluto?" I ask as I started eating again. 

"Siyempre, kami lang naman dalawa ni papa eh, kung hindi ako magluluto habang nasa trabaho siya, sino nag magluluto?" he answered and I just nod while I continue eating. As the food on my plate is about to finish. He prepare me a coffee that I immediately drink after I finish eating together with the cake I bought and some snacks. 

"How's school?" I ask while munching on the chips. 

"Ayun, sa awa ng Diyos grade 12 na at malapit na mag college." he replied while eating also. 

"Saan mo balak mag college?" tanong ko dito, 

"Ano... wala pa, maghahanap pa ako ng scholarship." he replied and I nod. 

"Paano kung makahanap ka ng scholarship sa malayong lugar? Paano si tito?" I ask again, 

"Ayun na nga eh, ang gusto nga ni papa ay mag college ako sa siyudad, mas marami daw ang opotunidad doon, makakapag trabaho rin ako habang nag-aaral." he replied, slowly nodding while eating a chip, a stared at him. 

"Wala pa sa isip mo ang mag girlfriend 'no?" I suddenly ask, I just got curious, that's it. 

He look at me and chuckled, "Wala... wala kasi akong mahanap na girlfriend material." he replied and my brows furrowed. What does he mean by girlfriend material? What is a girlfriend material anyways? 

"Malay mo kapag nag college na ako may makita na akong pwedeng maging girlfriend." he said and I sigh before nodding. 

"It's up to you naman." I said while stirring my coffee. 

"Ikaw ba? Bakit wala ka pang boyfriend?" he ask and I shrug. 

"I don't know too, maybe because I am not interested." I replied and I hear him hum. 

"Kaya wala rin akong girlfriend kasi yung gusto ko sanang maging girlfriend hindi pala interested sa love." he said and my eyes widened before my head snap up to look at him. 

What... the hell?! 

"ALI!!!!" 

[Bestie kumalma ka! Iniisip ko pa kung ano ang ibig sabihin nun!] Ali shouted from the other line.

"Please! That was so sudden and I don't know what to say after! Buti nalang madaldal siya at naiba agad ang usapan! But starting that afternoon! Ali I can't focus on things!" I said, almost whining and throwing a tantrum like a kid on my bed. I've been keeping it for five days and classes will start in two days and I don't know how to feel about it!

[Okay, okay so is he being nice, kind, sweet to you?] she ask and I nod, 

"Yes! Yes, so much! He makes me coffee, he prepare foods for me, he always listens to my rants, he offers me help sa acads but I always reject it kasi nahihiya ako. He's really nice, caring and... sweet!" I said as I bury my face on the pillow. 

[Ganito rin ba siya sa ibang tao?] she ask and I sat up on my bed. 

"Well... he said he doesn't have much friends sa Munhigh, he said that he always like going home cause he don't have any friends to hangout with, so maybe... no." I said as I tell Ali what Inin would tell me if I ask about his school or his day. 

[So ganito ha... i-declare na natin, may gusto siya sayo. Baka hindi yun mixed signals diba, kasi noong naka-usap ko siya, mabait talaga siya, I don't think he's a red flag na mixed signals yun. Baka gusto ka talaga niya, you two have been friends for more than a year na, baka may feelings nang na-develop for you.] Ali said and I pouted, my heart beats starts increasing once again as I think on that moment again. 

[If gusto ka talaga niya, do you have feelings for him too?] That caught me off guard, I bit on my nail and stare at the wall. 

"Well... I don't know, I am excited to see him, when I'm with him I feel happy and... comfort." I hesitantly replied. 

[Okay... well... I think you like him too. You like him din! Desisyon ako bestie! Ako ang batas!] she said from the other line and I pouted. 

[Talk to him nalang kaya ulit then itanong mo yung sinabi niya. But make it a pabiro tone para if ever na joke lang yung sinabi niya, hindi ka magmumukhang umaasa na magustuhan ka niya.] she said, I sigh and nod before thanking her and ending the call. 

Classes returned and Laura was there on the first and second day that's why I am not feeling lonely, but as the 3rd day came, she didn't attend classes which really made me feel upset. I only get to see my other friends by recess or before lunch and after school. But they are also busy. So I always want to go home and rest. 

By the next Tuesday afternoon, after class, I had the courage to visit Inin, I bought snacks for us on my way there. And as I enter their hut, I saw him in his school uniform. 

"Sabi na ikaw yun eh, kilala ko na ang tunog ng motor mo." he said as he put down his polo, leaving him with his sando and pants. 

"Miryenda?" I said as I place down the plastic of turon, banana cue and kamote cue on the table. 

"Kape?" he ask with a smile, I shyly smiled at him and nod. 

While he's preparing for my coffee, I am building more courage to ask him about it. Joking tone, right. 

"Ito na po mahal na prinsesa." he said as he place down two mugs on the table. 

"How's school?" I ask while stirring my coffee while he's munching on a turon. 

"Stressing, HAHAHAHA, pero masaya naman." he replied and I nod. 

"Siguro binibiro mo rin mga kaibigan mo na babae na gusto mo sila." I said before taking a sip of my coffee while examining his expression. He got confused and look at me with furrowed brows. He stared at me for few seconds before his lips formed a small 'o'. 

"Ah... iniisip mo pa rin pala yun, ano..." he scratch the back of his neck, "Gusto kasi kita. Walang halong biro, bukod sa maganda ka at mabait, hindi ko maipaliwanag kapag nakikita kita, excited ako, tapos masaya, tapos... basta tatalon na yung puso ko palabas."